Improvement in bellows toe musical instruments



@eine ,tstrs gstrnt @frn OLIVER FOLLETT, or PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No. 73,592, vdated January 21, 1868.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: i

Be it known that I, OLIVER FOLLETT, of Pittseld, in the county of Berkshire, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bellows for Musical Instruments; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, whereby a person skilled Ain the art can make and use my invention, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 show s a front view of the bellows of aparlor-organ with my improvement, having the outside oase removed, except a small portion at A.

Figure 2 shows a view from the left side of the instrument, with the outer case likewise removed so as to show the interior parts'.

Like letters inv the figures indicate like parts.

My invention consists in relieving the springs or weights that are ordinarily used in bellows of musical instruments of a part of their tension, at the will of the per-former, by-means of certain other springs or weights that may be connected with or disconnected from the bellows by pedals or stops.

B is the feeder, and C the reservoir of 'an ordinary parlor-organ bellows, having the leaf D between them that forms the bottom of the reservoir or part that operates upon the instrument. S' is one of the springs ordinarily used inside of the reservoir C to keep the leaves forcibly apart. This 'can also be done by weighting the leaf D. K is the treadle for operating the bellows to which it is connected by the straps L L'attached to the leaf M. J is a pedal upon the lever E, the opposite end of which operates the lever` F. This lever carries the spring G, and is connected with the lower leaf D, of the reservoir C, by the strap H. I is a slot or 'opening, in the front part of the case of the instrument,in which the lever E moves, and which in furnished with a shoulder, under which the lever E can be hooked down when desired by the performer. These parts from J to H form one means of operating myinvention. N is a stop,intended to be operated by the hand of the performer, which connects by means' of the cord O with the lever P, which operates the lever Q. This last carries the weight R, yand is connected with the leaf D of the bellows by means of the cord U passing over the pulleyA T. At V is a catch for holdingthe stops N when pulled forward. 'These parts form another means of oper* ating my invention. l

When the pedald and its lever E are inthe position shown in the drawings, and the stop N is drawn fori ward and secure-:Ll by a suitable catch, the bellows operates in the usual manner when worked by the treadle K. The performer works against the pressure of the sti spring S and the spring Gr, which is carried up and down by the strap H and lever F with the movementv of the bellows. l

If it is now desired to make the bellows work easier, the pedal J is pressed down and hooked under the projection of I. This raises the end of the lever F, and takes the spring Gr off the bellows, so that it works only under the pressure of the spring S or the corresponding weight.

If it be desired to make the bellows work still easier, the stop N is pushed back into the position shown in the drawing, which drops the end of the lever P, and releases the lever Q carrying the weight R, which then acts on the cord U, and counterbalances part of the weight or spring acting upon the lower leaf of the bellows. It will be observed that the spring G and weight R act in different ways. G adds to the force of the bel= lows when 'act-ing, and R subtracts from that force. I

Either of these arrangements can be used separately, or they can both be applied to the same instrument, and arranged to be operated by the foot, knee, or hand of the performer.

The application of my invention is not restricted to the particular form of bellows shown, but can be applied to the movable leaf of the reservoir of any ordinary bellows. The spring G may also be considered as an addition to the normal weight upon the bellows, to give it more than its ordinary power when acting under the pressure of the spring S, or its equivalent. Weight can also be used in my invention in plaeeof the spring G, or a spring for weight R. y

The advantages of my invention, are, that when a great volume oftone or quickness of touch is not required,- as in playing soft and slow music, a part of the force necessary to blow the bellows 'can be dispensed with, so as not to fatigue the performer. By means of my invention the tone of an instrument can be softened and subdued to any extent desired, to produce a pleasing effect, and at the same time be capable of playing music requiring the greatest power of the bellows.

I Claim.

'What I claim as mj' invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

The application of subsidiary weights or springs to the bellows of musical instruments, whereby the -per former eanregulate the pressure of wind byl means of pedals or stops, substantially as herein speeied.

l OLIVER F-OLLETT.

Witnesses:

HENRY F. BOLGER, Y THEO. G. ELLIS. 

